Yellow Fever Outbreak Under Control – Health Minister Assures Public
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah
Akandoh, has assured Ghanaians that the yellow fever outbreak is under control, urging the public to remain calm as health authorities intensify surveillance, investigations, and vaccination efforts.
Briefing the media on the outbreak, the Minister disclosed that 450 suspected yellow fever cases had been recorded across the country’s 16 regions, including 88 in the Upper West Region. Of the cases reported in the region, the reference laboratory at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research has confirmed three.
The suspected cases in the Upper West Region have been reported in several districts, including Wa West, which recorded 27 cases; Sissala West, 23; Sissala East, 21; Efiama-Msua-Busa, seven; Nadowli-Kaleo, one; Wa East, one; and Wa West Municipal, one. Seven additional cases have also been reported in the Funsi area.
Health authorities are investigating reported deaths in connection with the outbreak, stressing that such fatalities cannot be conclusively attributed to yellow fever without laboratory confirmation.
Mr Akandoh said the government was expanding its vaccination efforts beyond routine childhood immunisation to cover people aged nine months to 60 years in affected areas.
He disclosed that an additional 187,000 vaccine doses had been requested to support the exercise, adding that vaccination teams were being prepared to begin the campaign in the Upper West Region.
The Health Minister further cautioned against misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding vaccines, urging Ghanaians to rely on official health information and cooperate with health workers during the vaccination campaign.
He emphasised the importance of public participation in the response efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission of the disease.
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, explained that yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and is not spread directly from one person to another.
He said symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, body pains and abdominal discomfort, while severe cases could develop complications, including bleeding.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe urged residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves against mosquito bites, including using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and sleeping under mosquito nets.
He also advised the public to remain vigilant during the day, when mosquitoes responsible for transmitting yellow fever may be active.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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